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Creamy Ground Turkey Spinach Pasta

Creamy Ground Turkey Spinach Pasta for Cozy Weeknight Dinners

This Creamy Ground Turkey Spinach Pasta is a comforting dish that combines flavors of ground turkey and fresh spinach, perfect for busy weeknight dinners.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 600

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 8 ounces penne or fusilli opt for gluten-free pasta for gluten-free option
For the Sauce
  • 1 pound Ground Turkey can substitute with ground chicken or beef
  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil or any neutral oil
  • 1 cup Heavy Cream can use half-and-half or Greek yogurt
  • 1 cup Chicken Broth or vegetable broth for vegetarian variation
  • 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese replace with nutritional yeast for dairy-free
For the Aromatics
  • 1 medium Onion diced
  • 2 cloves Garlic minced
For the Greens
  • 3 cups Fresh Spinach chopped; thawed frozen spinach can also be used
For Extra Flavor
  • 1 teaspoon Paprika or switch to chili powder if desired
  • 1 teaspoon Dried Italian Seasoning or fresh/herbs like basil and oregano
  • to taste Salt basic seasoning
  • to taste Black Pepper basic seasoning

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Colander
  • large skillet

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Once boiling, add your pasta and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/4 cup of the pasta water.
  2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until tender and translucent.
  3. Add minced garlic to the skillet, stirring constantly for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Stir in ground turkey, breaking it apart as you cook. Cook for 5–7 minutes until browned and no pink remains.
  5. Sprinkle in paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, stirring well to coat the turkey.
  6. Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Allow sauce to simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
  7. Gradually stir in grated Parmesan cheese, mixing until creamy and smooth.
  8. Fold in chopped spinach, cooking for 1-2 minutes until wilted.
  9. Add the drained pasta to the skillet, tossing to coat in the sauce. Drizzle in reserved pasta water to achieve desired consistency.
  10. Serve immediately, garnished with additional grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 600kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 35gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 15gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 100mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 4gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 2000IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 250mgIron: 3mg

Notes

For the best results, add cheese gradually off the heat to prevent curdling. Feel free to customize with additional vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms during the onion sautéing step.

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